After our elk hunt of 2012 both my Dad and my hunting partner stated that the best piece of equipment they owned was their electronic hearing protection. So, in January at the SHOT Show I bought custom digital hearing protection from EAR Inc. I now wear it whether bird or big game hunting and very much appreciate it.

I had worn eletronic muffs with some bird hunting before, and tried to use foam earplugs with occasional big game hunts. The new protection eliminates those and works far better.

I've always worn hearing protection when shooting other than long barrel 22 LRs or suppressed firearms. I'm 68 and my hearing is still fine. If you want to hear sounds around you while hunting stereo electronic muffs which clamp noise peaks work great and retain a good sense of sound direction.

I got Tinnitus when I was only 28 (shooting A LOT as a youth w/ out protection) Doctor said I would be wearing hearing aids by 40 if something didn't change. I always wear muffs at the range and now I hunt with the ear plugs that are attached to the plastic collar that you wear around your neck (construction guys wear them). Super fast to put in your ears before the shot.